New EV battery could crush range anxiety with 12-minute full charge

A recent international study led by Kiel University highlights the potential of lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) to revolutionize electric vehicle (EV) charging by enabling full charges in as little as 12 minutes, significantly faster than current lithium-ion batteries that typically require 20 to 30 minutes for partial charges and longer for full ones. LSBs offer a theoretical energy density of up to 2,600 watt-hours per kilogram—nearly ten times that of conventional lithium-ion cells—due to their sulfur cathode paired with a metallic lithium anode. This could translate to much longer driving ranges and help alleviate range anxiety, a major barrier to EV adoption. Additionally, sulfur is abundant, eco-friendly, and cost-effective compared to cobalt and nickel used in lithium-ion batteries. Despite these advantages, LSB technology faces several challenges. Sulfur’s poor electrical conductivity requires mixing with carbon-based materials, which adds weight and complexity. The sulfur cathode also undergoes significant volumetric changes during charging cycles